FINMA regulated forex brokers

The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) is the financial regulator for Switzerland, established in 2009. ForexLicenses.com classifies it as tier 1 (top-tier regulation). We currently match 5 brokers in our database to an FINMA licence.

Switzerland requires any firm dealing in forex as principal to hold a full banking licence, which is why Swiss forex providers such as Swissquote and Dukascopy are banks. That brings bank-level capital, liquidity and audit requirements and, for cash held as deposits, access to the esisuisse deposit protection scheme. FINMA publishes lists of authorised banks and securities firms plus a warning list of unauthorised entities. Switzerland is not in the EU, so ESMA leverage caps do not apply directly, but Swiss banks generally set conservative retail margin rules.

Key rules for retail clients

Tier

Tier 1 — Top-tier regulation

Compensation

esisuisse deposit protection up to CHF 100,000 (bank-licensed brokers)

Leverage

Set by the bank; typically up to 100:1 for retail

Negative balance protection

Not a regulatory requirement

Client money

Forex brokers must hold a full Swiss banking licence

Complaints

Swiss Banking Ombudsman

Brokers licensed by the FINMA 5

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if a broker is FINMA regulated?

Search the firm's name or licence number on the FINMA official register (https://www.finma.ch/en/finma-public/authorised-institutions-individuals-and-products/), confirm the status is current and that the website domain you're using is listed, then check the FINMA warning list for clones.

Does the FINMA offer investor compensation?

esisuisse deposit protection up to CHF 100,000 (bank-licensed brokers)

What leverage do FINMA-regulated brokers offer?

Set by the bank; typically up to 100:1 for retail

Is negative balance protection required by the FINMA?

It is not a regulatory requirement under the FINMA, though some brokers offer it contractually.